Corpus Christi, TX Rental Property Rules: Security Deposit Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Refund deadline
- 30 days post move-out
- Itemization
- Required if any deduction
- Cap on amount
- None statewide
- Bad-faith damages
- 3x amount plus $100
Summary
Corpus Christi landlords follow Texas Property Code §§92.101 to 92.109. Deposits must be refunded within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions if any portion is withheld. Wrongful withholding triggers statutory damages.
OBLIGATION TO REFUND. (a) Except as provided by Section 92.107, the landlord shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises. (b) A requirement that a tenant give advance notice of surrender as a condition for refunding the security deposit is effective only if the requirement is underlined or is printed in conspicuous bold print in the lease. (c) The tenant's claim to the security deposit takes priority over the claim of any creditor of the landlord, including a trustee in bankruptcy.
Full Breakdown
Corpus Christi has no separate security deposit ordinance and instead applies the statewide framework in Texas Property Code subchapter C. There is no state cap on deposit amount, though most landlords charge one to two months of rent. The landlord must refund the deposit within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession and provides a forwarding address. If any deductions are taken, the landlord must furnish a written itemization. Failure to act in good faith, defined by §92.109, exposes the landlord to liability of $100 plus three times the wrongfully withheld portion plus reasonable attorney fees. Tenants cannot waive these statutory protections in the lease.
Violations & Fines
Bad-faith withholding of a security deposit subjects the landlord to $100 in statutory damages, three times the wrongfully withheld amount, and reasonable attorney fees under TX Property Code §92.109.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit?
What if my landlord just keeps it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corpus Christi
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